Piece of furniture

ABSTRACT

A piece of furniture, comprising a first and a second furniture part, which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means. A female part is made as an oblong slot in the second furniture part with an insertion opening for introducing a male part. When coupling the first furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from an insertion position in the insertion opening to an end position in the female part by moving the male part and the female part along each other. The male part is situated on a narrow end of the first furniture part and is positioned with its center line between the central plane of the first furniture part and the inner side of the first furniture part. The slot is realized in the inwardly directed flat side of the second furniture part.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

This invention relates to a composed element, in particular to a pieceof furniture, as well as to a corner connection which is appliedtherewith.

More particularly, the invention relates to a piece of furniture, whichcomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other, can be coupled to each other,respectively, at an angle. Preferably, the respective furniture partsrelate to panel-shaped elements. Herein, the invention relates to anytype of composed element which comprises at least two or more parts,such as panel-shaped elements, irrespective of the field of application,and irrespective of the fact whether the composed element substantiallyconsists exclusively of these parts or panel-shaped elements, or whetherthese parts only form a component thereof.

Although the invention can be applied in any application, it isprimarily intended for application in the furniture sector, for loosefurniture a well as for built-in furniture, such as dressing furniture,room dividers, and the like.

More particularly, the invention relates to connections betweenfurniture parts, such as between panel-shaped elements, which can berealized in a smooth manner and are suitable for being employed withfurniture which are sold in dismounted condition and have to be mountedby the buyer himself. Herein, this primarily relates to so-calledflat-pack furniture.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to a piece of furniture,wherein this piece of furniture comprises at least a first furniturepart and a second furniture part, which are coupled at an angle by meansof mechanical coupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist atleast of a male part provided on the first furniture part and acooperating therewith female part provided on the second furniture part,wherein said female part is made as an oblong slot in said secondfurniture part and wherein said male and female part comprise one ormore cooperating grooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises aninsertion opening for introducing said male part and wherein, whencoupling the first furniture part and the second furniture part to eachother, the male part is brought from an insertion position in saidinsertion opening to an end position in said female part by moving themale part and the female part along each other in the longitudinaldirection of said slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said endposition cooperate such that a coupling of the first and secondfurniture part is obtained.

2. Related Art

Such piece of furniture is known from WO 2013/104422 and US2014/205,373, wherein a first furniture part is provided withrespectively three male parts on opposite ends. These male partsrespectively are made as dowels which are glued into the respective endor are attached by means of a connection obtained by an ultrasonictreatment. Herein, each time a tensioning effect is effected between twofurniture parts by means of the cooperating grooves and protrusions.This tensioning is achieved in that the male part and the female partmutually are made of another material and in particular in that thematerial of the grooves of the female part is softer than the materialof the grooves of the male part. The female part is made as an oblongslot in the inwardly directed flat side of one of the furniture parts.The slot is realized in the proximity of the edge of this furniturepart. The material requirements and the positioning of the couplingmeans can weaken the whole and may lead to the occurrence of a varietyof risks. For example, there is the risk that the soft material on theedge of the furniture part may break off. The piece of furniture of theaforementioned documents possibly will lead to installation faults.Moreover, the production of the furniture parts, in particularconnecting the male parts onto the respective furniture part, requiresparticular treatments.

SUMMARY

The present invention, according to its different independent aspects,primarily relates to alternative furniture with a first and secondfurniture part which are coupled at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means. According to various preferred embodiments thereof,advantages are obtained in respect to the state of the art.

To this aim, the invention, according to a first independent aspect,relates to a piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniturecomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist at least of amale part provided on the first furniture part and a cooperatingtherewith female part provided on the second furniture part, whereinsaid female part is made as an oblong slot in said second furniture partand wherein said male and female part comprise one or more cooperatinggrooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertionopening for introducing said male part and wherein, when coupling thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, themale part is brought from an insertion position in said insertionopening to an end position in said female part by moving the male partand the female part along each other in the longitudinal direction ofsaid slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end positioncooperate such that a coupling of the first and second furniture part isobtained, with the characteristic that said male part is situated on anarrow end of said first furniture part and is positioned with itscenter line between the central plane of the first furniture part andthe inner side of the first furniture part, whereas said slot isrealized in the inwardly directed flat side of the second furniturepart. As the male part is provided towards the inner side of the pieceof furniture, said slot of the female part can be realized at a distancefrom the distal end of the second furniture part, such that the risk ofthe respective edge breaking off can be minimized.

Preferably, at least two thirds of the male part are situated betweensaid central plane and the inwardly directed side of the first furniturepart. Still better, the male part is situated entirely between thecentral plane and the inwardly directed side of the first furniturepart.

According to a second independent aspect, the invention relates to apiece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniture comprises at least afirst furniture part and a second furniture part, which are coupled toeach other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means, andwherein said coupling means consist at least of a male part provided onthe first furniture part and a cooperating therewith female partprovided on the second furniture part, wherein said female part is madeas an oblong slot in said second furniture part and wherein said maleand female part comprise one or more cooperating grooves andprotrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertion opening forintroducing said male part and wherein, when coupling the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the malepart is brought from an insertion position in said insertion opening toan end position in said female part by moving the male part and thefemale part along each other in the longitudinal direction of said slot,wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, withthe characteristic that said male part comprises one or more recesseswhich effect the elasticity of one or more of the respective groovesand/or protrusions. As the elasticity of the male and/or the female partnow can be influenced by providing recesses, the male and female partscan be realized in a similar material, more particularly in equally hardor soft material. Said recesses can be situated internally in therespective part or can extend from an outer edge inwards in therespective part.

According to a third independent aspect, the present invention relatesto a piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniture comprises atleast a first furniture part and a second furniture part, which arecoupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means,and wherein said coupling means consist at least of a male part providedon the first furniture part and a cooperating therewith female partprovided on the second furniture part, wherein said female part is madeas an oblong slot in said second furniture part and wherein said maleand female part comprise one or more cooperating grooves andprotrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertion opening forintroducing said male part and wherein, when coupling the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the malepart is brought from an insertion position in said insertion opening toan end position in said female part by moving the male part and thefemale part along each other in the longitudinal direction of said slot,wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, withthe characteristic that said male and/or female part consist of at leasttwo different materials, wherein one or more of the respective groovesand/or protrusions is made in a more elastic or softer material than thecore material of the respective male and/or female part. As the materialof the male and/or the female part is made of a more elastic or of asofter material only locally, a compromise is obtained between strengthand compressibility. Such part may be obtained, for example, by coatingtechniques, wherein the core material of the respective part is providedwith a coating with a more elastic material.

According to a fourth independent aspect, the present invention relatesto a piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniture comprises atleast a first furniture part and a second furniture part, which arecoupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means,and wherein said coupling means consist at least of a male part providedon the first furniture part and a cooperating therewith female partprovided on the second furniture part, wherein said female part is madeas an oblong slot in said second furniture part and wherein said maleand female part comprise one or more cooperating grooves andprotrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertion opening forintroducing said male part and wherein, when coupling the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the malepart is brought from an insertion position in said insertion opening toan end position in said female part by moving the male part and thefemale part along each other in the longitudinal direction of said slot,wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, withthe characteristic that said male part is gluelessly connected to thefirst furniture part. Such glueless connection can be realized in avariety of possibilities. Below, various possibilities are listed, whilenot attempting to be exhaustive:

-   -   the possibility that said glueless connection consists at least        of a mechanical coupling connection by means of one or more        hooks and undercuts;    -   the possibility that said glueless connection consists at least        of that the male part, on its end where it is connected to the        first furniture part, is made with grooves which cooperate with        a female part with grooves, which female part is also realized        in the first furniture part;    -   the possibility that said glueless connection consists at least        of a screw thread connection.

A glueless connection offers a connection which is simpler to realize,which possibly can be realized by the end user.

According to a fifth independent aspect, the invention relates to apiece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniture comprises at least afirst furniture part and a second furniture part, which are coupled toeach other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means, andwherein said coupling means consist at least of a male part provided onthe first furniture part and a cooperating therewith female partprovided on the second furniture part, wherein said female part is madeas an oblong slot in said second furniture part and wherein said maleand female part comprise one or more cooperating grooves andprotrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertion opening forintroducing said male part and wherein, when coupling the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the malepart is brought from an insertion position in said insertion opening toan end position in said female part by moving the male part and thefemale part along each other in the longitudinal direction of said slot,wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, withthe characteristic that the first furniture part, preferably on a firstof two opposite ends, is provided with said male part as well as atleast a female part. As different coupling parts are combined on one andthe same furniture part, preferably on one and the same of two oppositeends, a better stability of the whole is achieved. Thus, the materialparts which are weakened by the female parts are distributed over twofurniture parts, which offers a spreading of the risk of break.

According to a sixth independent aspect, the present invention relatesto still another piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniturecomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist at least of amale part provided on the first furniture part and a cooperatingtherewith female part provided on the second furniture part, whereinsaid female part is made as an oblong slot in said second furniture partand wherein said male and female part comprise one or more cooperatinggrooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertionopening for introducing said male part and wherein, when coupling thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, themale part is brought from an insertion position in said insertionopening to an end position in said female part by moving the male partand the female part along each other in the longitudinal direction ofsaid slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end positioncooperate such that a coupling of the first and second furniture part isobtained, with the characteristic that the first furniture part, on afirst of two opposite ends, is provided with at least three male and/orfemale parts, wherein the relations of the distance between a first anda second of these parts, and the distance between a second and a thirdof these parts, is at least 1.2 and preferably at least 1.5 or 2. As thedistance between the parts is clearly made different, errors and/or timeloss of the user when installing the piece of furniture will beminimized. To wit, the mutually strongly differing distance allows anidentification of the front and rear sides of the furniture parts.

According to a seventh independent aspect, the present invention relatesto a piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniture comprises atleast a first furniture part and a second furniture part, which arecoupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means,and wherein said coupling means consist at least of a male part providedon the first furniture part and a cooperating therewith female partprovided on the second furniture part, wherein said female part is madeas an oblong slot in said second furniture part and wherein said maleand female part comprise one or more cooperating grooves andprotrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertion opening forintroducing said male part and wherein, when coupling the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the malepart is brought from an insertion position in said insertion opening toan end position in said female part by moving the male part and thefemale part along each other in the longitudinal direction of said slot,wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, withthe characteristic that the first furniture part, on a first of twoopposite ends, is provided with at least a male part, and wherein thefirst furniture part, on a second of these two opposite ends, comprisesa second male part, which is least distant from said first male part,and that the first and the second male parts, in respect to thelongitudinal direction of the respective ends, are offset in mutualrespect, or, in other words, are not positioned straight or inclinedopposite to each other. By this particular positioning, an additionalstability can be created.

According to an eighth independent aspect, the present invention relatesto still another piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniturecomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist at least of amale part provided on the first furniture part and a cooperatingtherewith female part provided on the second furniture part, whereinsaid female part is made as an oblong slot in said second furniture partand wherein said male and female part comprise one or more cooperatinggrooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertionopening for introducing said male part and wherein, when coupling thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, themale part is brought from an insertion position in said insertionopening to an end position in said female part by moving the male partand the female part along each other in the longitudinal direction ofsaid slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end positioncooperate such that a coupling of the first and second furniture part isobtained, with the characteristic that said female part is provided in aside of the second furniture part, which is provided with a layer-shapedcovering. Preferably, this layer-shaped covering, in coupled condition,extends from on the inner side of the piece of furniture up to betweenthe distal end of the first furniture part.

Preferably, said male part is provided in a narrow side of the firstfurniture part, wherein this side is free from layer-shaped coverings.

Preferably, said slot comprises a bevel or other chamfer.

According to a ninth independent aspect, the present invention relatesto still another piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniturecomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist at least of amale part provided on the first furniture part and a cooperatingtherewith female part provided on the second furniture part, whereinsaid female part is made as an oblong slot in said second furniture partand wherein said male and female part comprise one or more cooperatinggrooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertionopening for introducing said male part and wherein, when coupling thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, themale part is brought from an insertion position in said insertionopening to an end position in said female part by moving the male partand the female part along each other in the longitudinal direction ofsaid slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end positioncooperate such that a coupling of the first and second furniture part isobtained, with the characteristic that the first furniture part, on afirst of two opposite ends, is provided with at least four male and/orfemale parts. Such a high number of local coupling parts results in ahigh strength in the corner connection.

According to a tenth independent aspect, the present invention relatesto still another piece of furniture, wherein this piece of furniturecomprises at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part,which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means, and wherein said coupling means consist at least of amale part provided on the first furniture part and a cooperatingtherewith female part provided on the second furniture part, whereinsaid female part is made as an oblong slot in said second furniture partand wherein said male and female part comprise one or more cooperatinggrooves and protrusions, wherein said slot comprises an insertionopening for introducing said male part and wherein, when coupling thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, themale part is brought from an insertion position in said insertionopening to an end position in said female part by moving the male partand the female part along each other in the longitudinal direction ofsaid slot, wherein said grooves and protrusions in said end positioncooperate such that a coupling of the first and second furniture part isobtained, with the characteristic that in the coupled condition of thefirst furniture part and the second furniture part free spaces orchambers are present in the coupling zone, wherein there is at least afree space between the distal end of the first furniture part and eitherthe distal end of the second furniture part, or the inwardly directedflat side of the second furniture part. Such free spaces can lead to abetter connection of the furniture parts to one or more of theirsurfaces visible in the piece of furniture. The presence of free spacesrestricts the size of the contact surfaces between both furniture partsand allows obtaining a good connection of the remaining contactsurfaces. The moving along each other of the male and female part can beperformed with less force, and a possible compression of the furnitureparts towards each other can be guaranteed more simply.

Preferably, said free chambers are air chambers, however, one or more ofsuch chambers may also be filled with compressible material.

Below follow some preferred embodiments, which can be applied generallyand thus to all independent aspects. Preferably, said first and secondfurniture parts in the aforementioned end position are pressed towardseach other by means of the cooperating grooves and protrusions. Herein,the measures of said second and/or third aspects are particularlyadvantageous.

Preferably, the grooves and/or protrusions are compressed during theaforementioned shifting.

Preferably, said grooves and protrusions of cooperating female and maleparts are made mutually inclined.

Preferably, the male part is made as a dowel or pin, which is made witha profile, such that it, as aforementioned, comprises one or moregrooves or protrusions.

Preferably, the first furniture part connects with its distal or narrowend to the inwardly directed side of the second furniture part in orderto thereby include an angle of 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees.However, it is not excluded that the second through tenth aspects areapplied with furniture of which the first furniture part connects withits distal or narrow end against the distal or narrow end of the secondfurniture part in order to thereby include an angle of 90 degrees orapproximately 90 degrees. Herein, this may relate to a so-called mitercoupling.

Further characteristics of the invention will become clear from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of theinvention, herein after, as an example without any limitative character,some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 in perspective represents a piece of furniture having thecharacteristics of the invention;

FIG. 2 , at a larger scale, represents a cross-section according to theline II-II represented in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 , at a larger scale, represents a view on the area indicated byF3 in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 , at the same scale as in FIG. 3 , represents a cross-sectionaccording to the line Iv-Iv represented in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 in perspective represents how the furniture parts of FIG. 1 canbe coupled;

FIGS. 6 and 7 , in a view similar to that of FIG. 4 , represent somesteps in the coupling action;

FIGS. 8 to 20 , in a view similar to that of FIG. 3 , representvariants;

FIG. 21 , in a view similar to that of FIG. 7 , represents how theembodiment of FIG. 20 can be coupled;

FIG. 22 , in a view according to the arrow F22 represented in FIG. 5 ,represents a furniture part for a piece of furniture having, amongstothers, the characteristics of the second aspect;

FIGS. 23 and 24 , in similar views, represent a furniture part for apiece of furniture having, amongst others, the characteristics of thefifth and the seventh aspect, respectively, of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 represents a piece of furniture 1 which consists of a pluralityof furniture parts 2-5, in this case a plurality of panel-shapedelements. The panel-shaped elements form, amongst others, both sidepanels 3-4, the top panel 2, the bottom panel 4, a baseboard 6, variousshelves 7 and a back 8.

FIGS. 2 and 3 represent that the side panels 3-5 and, for example, thetop panel 2 are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanicalcoupling means 9. In this case, the entire framework of the representedpiece of furniture 1 is composed by means of such mechanical couplingmeans 9. The four main panels 2-3-4-5, namely both side panels 3-5, thetop panel 2 and the bottom panel 4, are coupled to each other in asimilar manner at an angle and include an angle A of 90 degrees oralmost 90 degrees. It is not excluded that one or more of the shelves 7and/or the baseboard 5 and/or the back 8 are attached to the frameworkin such manner as well.

The coupling means 9 consist at least of a male part 10 and a femalepart 11. It is evident that a plurality of such male parts 10 and femalecoupling parts 11 can be positioned one behind the other along thecoupling zone 12. Preferably, at least two or three of such couplingparts 10-11 are applied along a coupling zone 12.

FIG. 4 represents that the male part 10 in this case is provided on thedistal or narrow end 13 of the top panel 2, and that the female part 11is made as an oblong slot 14 in a side panel 3, more particularly in theinwardly directed side 15 of this side panel 3.

The male part 10 and the female part 11 in this case show a plurality ofcooperating grooves 16 and protrusions 17.

FIG. 5 clearly shows that said slot 14 shows an insertion opening 18.The insertion opening 8 is made with a larger diameter than theremaining portion of the slot 14.

FIG. 6 represents that the male part 10 can be introduced in said slot14 according to the arrow 19 and via the insertion opening 18.

FIG. 7 represents that, when coupling the side panel 3 and the top panel2 to each other, the male part 10 is brought from this insertionposition to an end position 20 in the female part 11 by moving the malepart 10 and the female part 11 along each other in the longitudinaldirection of said slot 14.

In the end position 20, which is represented in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , theaforementioned grooves 16 and protrusions 17 mutually cooperate, suchthat a coupling of the side panel 3 and the top panel 2 is obtained.

The particularity of the arrangement represented here is that the malepart 10, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, ispositioned with its center line 21 between the central plane 22 of thetop panel 2 and the inwardly directed side 23 of the top panel 2. Herebyis obtained that a considerable material part 24 remains present betweenthe slot 14 of the female part 11 and the narrow end 25 of the sidepanel 3, which leads to a reduced risk of breaking.

In this example, the grooves 16 and protrusions 17 of the female part 11are made inclined, for example, at an angle B of 2 to 20°. Hereby, it isobtained that during shifting, the narrow end 13 of the top panel 2 ispulled towards the flat side 15 of the side panel 3, such that in theend position 20 an initially present gap 26 is reduced or eliminated. Itis possible to realize the inclination such that in the end position 20a compression of both panels 2-3 is obtained, analogous to thecompression of the document WO 2013/104422 mentioned in theintroduction.

The embodiment represented by means of FIGS. 1 to 7 further also showsthe characteristics of the eighth independent aspect. To this aim, thefemale part 11 is provided in a side 15 of the side panel 3, which isprovided with a layer-shaped covering 27. In this case, the layer-shapedcovering 27, in the coupled condition, extends from on the inner side 28of the piece of furniture 1 up to between the distal end 13 of the firstfurniture part 2 and this inner side 28, or the inwardly directed flatside 15 of the second furniture part 3. The layer-shaped covering 27accompanies the mutual shifting during the coupling action and may leadto an improved quality of the inner corner of the coupling. A possiblecompression effect also benefits from the presence of such layer-shapedcovering 27.

FIG. 8 represents a variant wherein also the characteristics of thetenth independent aspect mentioned in the introduction are applied. Inthe represented coupled condition, free spaces 29-30 are present betweenthe distal or narrow end 13 of the first furniture part 2 or the toppanel and the inwardly directed flat side 15 of the second furniturepart 3 or the side panel. Here, this relates to a straight coupling,wherein the respective furniture parts 2-3 adjoin each other withperpendicular or almost perpendicular sides or ends and thus no mitercoupling, wherein the respective furniture parts adjoin each other withinclined-made edges, for example, at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees,preferably approximately 45 degrees.

FIG. 9 represents another variant with the characteristics of the tenthindependent aspect, wherein, in coupled condition, free spaces 29-30 arepresent between the distal or narrow end 13 of the top panel 2 and thedistal or narrow end 25 of the side panel 3. Here, this relates to aso-called miter coupling, wherein the respective ends adjoin againsteach other at an angle C of approximately 45 degrees.

It is clear that the characteristics of the tenth aspect do notnecessarily have to be combined with the characteristics of the firstaspect.

FIGS. 8 and 9 also represent some preferred embodiments of the tenthindependent aspect, which each can be applied separately or incombination. This relates to the following particularities:

-   -   There is at least a free space 29 between the outwardly directed        side 31 of the first furniture part 2 and the male part 10. This        free space 29 preferably is closed off towards the outside in        that the first and the second furniture part 2-3 form a contact        surface 32.    -   There is at least a free space 30 between the inwardly directed        side 23 of the first furniture part 2 and the male coupling part        10. This free space 30 may or may not be made closed towards the        inside. FIG. 9 represents a closed embodiment in that the first        and the second furniture part 2-3 form a contact surface 33.        FIG. 8 represents an open embodiment. Such embodiment forms a        better guarantee for the adjoining of the contact surfaces 32 on        the outwardly directed sides 31.    -   Said free spaces 29-30 are formed as recesses in the distal end        13 of the first furniture part 2. Of course, it is also possible        that they are formed as a recess in the inwardly directed side        15 of the second furniture part 3, or in the distal end 25 of        the second furniture part 3, this latter in particular in the        case of miter couplings. Also, a combination of recesses in the        first and the second furniture part 2-3 is not excluded either.

FIG. 10 represents another embodiment of the tenth independent aspect,wherein the male part 10 partially is countersunk in the narrow ordistal end 13 of the first furniture part 2, in this case the top panel.By this is meant that the male part 10 protrudes from a surface 34,which latter is inwardly situated in respect to the contact surfaces 32.This is illustrated here by means of a miter coupling, however, can alsobe applied in a straight coupling.

FIG. 11 represents an embodiment having, amongst others, thecharacteristics of the second independent aspect mentioned in theintroduction. To this aim, the male part 10 comprises a recess 35, inthis case realized in the depth direction of the slot 14. In dashed line36, the relaxed condition of the male part 10 is illustrated. Therespective recess 35 increases the elasticity of the male part 10, suchthat the protrusions 17 thereof, in the coupled condition representedhere, can be bent inward. Due to the spring-back force of the male part10, the furniture parts 2-3 are pulled towards each other. Hereby, astrong connection between the respective furniture parts 2-3 can beobtained.

FIG. 12 shows another example of the second independent aspect, whereinthe one or more recesses 35 are realized transverse to the depthdirection of the slot 14. The obtained effects are similar to those inthe case of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 represents another example of the second independent aspect,wherein the one or more recesses 35 are situated internally in the malepart 10. Here, too, similar effects are achieved as in FIGS. 11 and 12 .

FIG. 14 represents an example of the third aspect of the invention,mentioned in the introduction, wherein the male part 10 consists of atleast two different materials 37-38. Herein, the protrusions 17 areprovided with a material 37 which is more elastic than the core material38 of the male part 10. With such embodiment, similar effects can beobtained as those in the FIGS. 11 to 13 , however, here rather aspring-back effect on the basis of compression of the elastic materialis applied. Suitable materials for the elastic surface material 37 arefor example, polyurethane or soft polyvinyl chloride. Suitable corematerials 38 are, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) orhard polyvinyl chloride (rigid PVC). The surface material 37 can also beformed by a deposited layer of paraffin. The use of a different surfacematerial 37 can also have a positive influence on the sliding features,such that coupling the male part 10 and female part 11 to each other canbe performed more smoothly by means of the relative shifting movement.This is in particular the case when paraffin or polyurethane is appliedas a surface material 37.

FIG. 15 represents still another particular embodiment, which combinesthe characteristics of the second and the third aspect. To this aim, theslot 14 of the female part 11 is at least partially formed by an insert39 of a more elastic material 37 than the core material 38 of the secondfurniture part 3. Moreover, this insert 39 is provided with recesses 35,which are separated by elastically bendable lips or protrusions 17.Here, too, similar effects are achieved as in the case of FIGS. 11 to 14.

FIG. 16 represents another additional eleventh independent aspect,wherein the male part 10 and the female part 11 are made conical in thedepth direction, or wherein the male part 10 comprises a plurality ofprotrusions 17, wherein these protrusions 17 are situated at differentdistances from the center line 21 of the male part 10. Preferably, thisdistance, as here, increases with the depth of the slot 14. In thismanner, an extra strong coupling is obtained.

FIG. 17 represents another additional twelfth independent aspect,wherein the female part 11 and/or the male part 10 in coupled conditionextends to beyond the central plane 40 of the second furniture part 3,and/or wherein the female part 11 is free from cooperating protrusions17 and grooves 16 up to at least a depth D of 25% of the thickness T ofthe second furniture part 3. In this manner, very strong couplings canbe obtained. In particular when a compression is striven for, the riskis minimized that such compression would show on the inwardly directedside 15 of the second furniture part 3.

FIG. 18 represents an embodiment with the characteristics of the fourthaspect of the invention, mentioned in the introduction, wherein the malepart 10 is gluelessly connected to the first furniture part 2, in thatit is attached by means of a screw connection 41. The protruding part ofthe male part 10 in this case is provided with an eyelet 42 throughwhich a tool can be put to serve as a lever for fixing the screwconnection 41.

FIG. 19 represents another example of the fourth aspect, wherein saidglueless connection consists of a mechanical coupling connection bymeans of one or more hooks 43 and undercuts 44. Preferably, said hooks43 allow for a snap connection of the male part 10 in the narrow ordistal end 13 of the respective furniture part 2.

FIGS. 20 and 21 represent another example of the fourth aspect, whereinsaid glueless connection consists at least of that the male part 10 atits end with which it is connected to the first furniture part 2, or, inother words, at its attachment part, is realized with protrusions 17and/or grooves 16, which cooperate with a female part 11A, which is alsorealized in the first furniture part 2 and comprises grooves 16 and/orprotrusions 17. In the example, a symmetric male part 10 is obtainedwhich can be connected by the user without the possibility of faults.

FIG. 21 shows that the connection of the male part 10 from FIG. 20possibly can be performed entirely or partially by means of the samemovement by which the furniture parts 2-3 are coupled to each other.

FIG. 22 represents an example of the sixth independent aspect of theinvention, mentioned in the introduction, wherein the first furniturepart 2 on a first end 45 of two opposite ends 45-46 is provided with atleast three male parts 10, and wherein the relation of the distance D1between a first male part 10 and a second neighboring male part 10 andthe distance D2 between this second and a third neighboring male part 10is at least 1.2.

FIG. 23 represents an example of the fifth independent aspect mentionedin the introduction, wherein the first furniture part 2 on a first oftwo opposite ends 45-46 is provided with at least a male part 10 as wellas with at least a female part 11.

It is clear that FIG. 23 further also forms an example of the sixthindependent aspect, wherein the position of the female part 11 isdetermined by the position of the cooperating therewith male part 10 inthe end position 20.

FIG. 24 represents an example of the seventh aspect of the invention,mentioned in the introduction. To this aim, the first furniture part 2,on a first of two opposite ends 45, is provided with at least a firstmale part 10A, and the first furniture part 2, on a second of these twoopposite ends 46, is provided with a second male part 10B, which isleast distant from the first male part 10A. In this case, this alwaysrelates to the male parts 10A-10B, which are situated centrally alongthe respective ends 45-46. In respect to the longitudinal direction ofthe respective ends 45-46, this first and second male parts 10A-10B areshifted in mutual respect over a distance D3. Preferably, the shiftingis at least 5 percent of the length L of the respective end, however,preferably at least 10 percent or more.

By such configuration, particular effects can be achieved. FIG. 24represents that in an attempt to pull the side panels 3-5 away from thetop panel according to the arrows 47, a torque effect 48 is created,which pushes the male parts 10-10A-10B more strongly into their endposition 20 in the slot 14. In this case, the asymmetric placement thuseffects a reinforcement of the whole of the piece of furniture 1. Inthis case, this is also obtained in that the female parts 11 of bothside panels 3-5 are made mirrored. In an analogous manner, it can beprovided for that such torque effect leads to a simpler de-installation,namely, in that the torque results in the tendency to push the maleparts 10-10A-10B loose from their end position 20, however, this is notrepresented here.

It is noted that FIG. 24 also forms an example of an additionalthirteenth aspect, wherein the first furniture part 2 on at least twoopposite ends 45-46 has to be coupled to a second furniture part 3,third furniture part 5, respectively, and wherein the movement of themale parts 10-10A-10B along the female parts 11 for the respective twoopposite sides 45-46 is opposed to each other. In the example of FIG. 24, the side panel 3 shown on the left hand side must be shifted in thedirection of arrow 49, whereas the side panel 5 shown on the right handside must be shifted in the opposite direction, namely in the directionof arrow 50, in respect to the top panel 2.

It is clear that many of the mentioned independent aspects can becombined with each other. For example, the features of the tenth aspectthus may be applied in the embodiments of all figures or other aspects.

The eighth independent aspect, too, can be applied broadly. In thisrespect, it is noted that embodiments of the eighth aspect arerepresented, amongst others, in FIGS. 2 to 8 and 11 to 21 . To this aim,the female part 11 is provided in a side 15 of the second furniture part3, which is provided with a layer-shaped covering 27. Herein, thisrespectively relates to furniture parts 2-3 which form an outer side ofthe piece of furniture 1, and no shelves 7. The male part 10respectively is provided in a narrow side or narrow end 13 of the firstfurniture part 2, wherein this end 13 is free from layer-shapedcoverings 27. In most cases, the slot 14 comprises a bevel 51 or otherchamfer, which is beneficial for the quality of the connection.

It is evident that the coupled to each other first and second furnitureparts 2-3 can be formed by any pair of coupled furniture parts. By wayof example only, in the figures respectively a top panel is depicted asthe first furniture part 2 and a side panel as the second furniture part3.

Further, it is noted that, although all examples of the figures showmale parts 10 with circular or approximately circular cross-sections,these male parts 10 of course also may show other shapes, such as ashape with an oblong cross-section, for example, a wedge shape,analogous to the shape of an insertion wedge in an axis connection. Thelongitudinal direction of the male part 10 in such case preferably isoriented according to the longitudinal direction of the narrow end 13 ofthe first furniture part 2.

Further, it is also noted that, although the male part 10 in allexamples is realized as a separate insert, this part can also be made inone piece with the first furniture part 2, for example, in that thismale part 10 is formed, by means of machining treatments, on the narrowor distal end 13 of the first furniture part 2.

Further, it is clear that the connections of the invention, which aredescribed as a connection between a first and a second furniture part,can also be applied more broadly than for furniture only. For example,they thus may be applied for any connection, at an angle or flat, inboxes, construction panels, floors and the like.

The present invention is in no way limited to the herein above-describedembodiments, on the contrary may such furniture and connections berealized according to various variants, without leaving the scope of thepresent invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A piece of furniture, comprising a firstfurniture part and a second furniture part, which are coupled to eachother at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means, wherein saidcoupling means comprises a male part provided on the first furniturepart and a cooperating therewith female part provided on the secondfurniture part, wherein said female part is made as an oblong slot insaid second furniture part and wherein said male part and female partcomprise one or more cooperating grooves and protrusions, wherein saidoblong slot comprises an insertion opening for introducing said malepart and wherein, when coupling the first furniture part and the secondfurniture part to each other, the male part is brought from an insertionposition in said insertion opening to an end position in said femalepart by moving the male part and the female part along each other in alongitudinal direction of said oblong slot, wherein said one or morecooperating grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperate suchthat a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained, andwherein said male part is provided on a distal or narrow end of thefirst furniture part, wherein said female part is provided on a distalor narrow end of the second furniture part, wherein the first furniturepart adjoins with its distal or narrow end against the distal or narrowend of the second furniture part thereby forming a miter coupling,wherein the first furniture part and the second furniture part form acontact surface, the contact surface defining a plane between the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part, wherein the male part iscountersunk in the distal or narrow end of the first furniture part,such that the male part protrudes from a sunk surface which is inwardlysituated in the first furniture part with respect to the plane definedby the contact surface, wherein in a coupled condition of the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part free spaces or chambers arepresent in a coupling zone, wherein there is at least a free spacebetween the sunk surface of the first furniture part and the distal ornarrow end of the second furniture part.
 2. The piece of furniture ofclaim 1, wherein said male part is positioned with its center linebetween a central plane of the first furniture part and an inner side ofthe first furniture part; and wherein said oblong slot is positionedwith its center line between a central plane of the second furniturepart and an inner side of the second furniture part.
 3. The piece offurniture of claim 1, wherein at least two-thirds of the male part arelocated between a central plane and an inwardly directed side of thefirst furniture part.
 4. The piece of furniture of claim 1, wherein twoopposing distal or narrow ends of the first furniture part are providedwith said male parts configured for forming a miter coupling.
 5. Thepiece of furniture of claim 1, wherein said free space is open towardsan inside of the first furniture part.
 6. The piece of furniture ofclaim 1, wherein said free space is closed towards an inside of thefirst furniture part.
 7. The piece of furniture of claim 1, whereinsides of the first furniture part and sides of the second furniture partare provided with a covering.
 8. The piece of furniture of claim 7,wherein the distal or narrow end of the first furniture part and thedistal or narrow end of the second furniture part is free fromcoverings.
 9. The piece of furniture of claim 1, wherein the oblong slotcomprises a bevel or other chamfer.
 10. A piece of furniture, comprisinga first furniture part and a second furniture part, which are coupled toeach other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means, whereinsaid coupling means comprises a male part provided on the firstfurniture part and a cooperating therewith female part provided on thesecond furniture part, wherein said female part is made as an oblongslot in said second furniture part and wherein said male part and femalepart comprise one or more cooperating grooves and protrusions, whereinsaid oblong slot comprises an insertion opening for introducing saidmale part and wherein, when coupling the first furniture part and thesecond furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from aninsertion position in said insertion opening to an end position in saidfemale part by moving the male part and the female part along each otherin a longitudinal direction of said oblong slot, wherein said one ormore cooperating grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperatesuch that a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained,and wherein in a coupled condition of the first furniture part and thesecond furniture part free spaces or chambers are present in a couplingzone, wherein there is at least a free space between the distal end ofthe first furniture part and either the distal end of the secondfurniture part, or between an inwardly directed side of the firstfurniture part and the male coupling part, wherein said free space isfilled with a compressible material.
 11. The piece of furniture of claim10, wherein said free space is not closed towards an inside of thefurniture part.
 12. The piece of furniture of claim 10, wherein saidfree space is closed towards an inside of the furniture part.
 13. Thepiece of furniture of claim 10, wherein the coupling is a mitercoupling.
 14. The piece of furniture of claim 10, wherein the oblongslot comprises a bevel or other chamfer.
 15. A piece of furniture,comprising a first furniture part and a second furniture part, which arecoupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means,wherein said coupling means comprises a male part provided on the firstfurniture part and a cooperating therewith female part provided on thesecond furniture part, wherein said female part is made as an oblongslot in said second furniture part and wherein said male part and femalepart comprise one or more cooperating grooves and protrusions, whereinsaid oblong slot comprises an insertion opening for introducing saidmale part and wherein, when coupling the first furniture part and thesecond furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from aninsertion position in said insertion opening to an end position in saidfemale part by moving the male part and the female part along each otherin a longitudinal direction of said oblong slot, wherein said one ormore cooperating grooves and protrusions in said end position cooperatesuch that a coupling of the first and second furniture part is obtained,and wherein said male part comprises one or more recesses which effectthe elasticity of one or more the respective grooves and/or protrusions,wherein the first furniture part and the second furniture part form acontact surface, the contact surface defining a plane between the firstfurniture part and the second furniture part, wherein said recess doesnot extend across the plane defined by the contact surface.
 16. Thepiece of furniture of claim 15, wherein said oblong slot is provided ina side of the second furniture part, and wherein the full circumferenceof the oblong slot at said side of the second furniture part issurrounded by material of said side of the second furniture part. 17.The piece of furniture of claim 15, wherein the recess is provided inthe depth direction of said oblong slot; or wherein the recess isrealized transverse to the depth direction of the oblong slot.
 18. Thepiece of furniture of claim 15, wherein the recess is provided as a slotparallel with a longitudinal axis of the male part.
 19. The piece offurniture of claim 15, wherein said recess does not extend into thefirst furniture part.